Chapter 3

Leia was always bubbling with energy, and the moment she showed up, she staked her claim without missing a beat.

Once she learned Ivan and I were together, she immediately burst into tears and called his group of friends.

Before, I'd been genuinely excited about sharing a meal with Ivan's friends.

But when we finally sat down together, the whole meal was filled with Leia's aggrieved tears and his friends subtly implying that I was the one who showed up late and stole her place.

Ivan and I were officially together, but somehow I got treated like the other woman. No way was I going to put up with that.

I fired right back at Ivan's buddies, but Ivan yanked my arm and said I was being way too dramatic.

He told me that Leia was just a friend he grew up with, that he never saw her in that way.

He asked me not to overthink, to be more generous, not to stoop to bickering with a young girl like her.

I believed him, and every time Leia threw a fit and ruined our dates, I just bit my tongue and put up with it.

I was just waiting for Leia to finally move on from Ivan.

But what if Ivan wasn't as good as I thought? What if, deep down, he was always keeping a spot open for Leia?

Was it even worth staying with him?

With that running through my mind, I tightened my grip and fixed my eyes on Ivan, waiting for him to speak up.

Ivan furrowed his brows, giving me a baffled look and saying nothing.

That last sliver of hope in my heart was slowly fading, just as his friends started mumbling irritably beside us.

"Ashley, seriously, are you ever going to let this go?"

"Leia's already moved on, so why are you making such a scene?"

"I just don't get it. What's the point of all these what-ifs?"

Back then, I used to just swallow their snarky comments and keep quiet, always trying to play it cool.

But now? I wasn't about to let them walk all over me anymore.

I turned to them and said coldly, "Are any of you Ivan? This is between him and me. What does it have to do with you?"

One of them couldn't hold back and snapped, "Damn, Ashley, did you take crazy pills or something today?"

"Ivan, seriously, look at the drama queen you picked up!" another guy chimed in.

"She's got nothing on Leia!" The third guy scoffed.

I ignored them all, locking eyes with Ivan, stubbornly waiting for him to say something.

Ivan's face twisted in discomfort as he shot me a blaming look.

"Ashley, you're awesome, but you just worry too much. Don't worry. Once our families meet, I'll marry you. I'll treat you well for the rest of my life," he muttered, sounding annoyed.

After all that, this was his answer, something that sounded more like a favor than a promise.

I couldn't hide the disappointment in my eyes. My heart just iced over completely.

The way he dodged the question made it obvious. He had thought about giving her a chance.

In that case, this relationship didn't need to go on.

Maybe my gaze had become too unfamiliar, because he started to panic.

He reached for me, just like all those times he'd asked me to swallow my pride.

"Ashley, don't make a scene. They grew up with me. They're like my family. I really don't want things to get all icy between you and them. Just do me a favor, okay? Just apologize to Leia, and everything will be fine," he said.

I stepped back, avoiding his hand, and said calmly, "Since they're all so important to you, then let's end this."

I was not someone who begged or clung shamelessly. If we couldn't be together for real, then we should part.

Ivan's expression changed drastically. He frowned and asked, "Ashley, what the hell's that supposed to mean? You're seriously breaking up with me just because Leia made a bet with me?"

Three years of being together wasn't some illusion. I remembered how happy we'd been, and how much I'd once wanted a future with Ivan.

But I was finished with watching movies alone, celebrating anniversaries by myself, and then acting like it was no big deal the next day when Ivan just looked tired and told me for the hundredth time how needy Leia was.

I forced myself to nod, keeping my voice even. "Yeah."

I said it, and without a second thought, I was ready to turn and walk away.

Dizziness was crashing over me. I had to get out before I hit the floor.

But just as I was about to step away, someone grabbed my arm in an iron grip.

Ivan's hold was so tight it sent a jolt of pain shooting up my arm, and I couldn't help but hiss.

I had to turn back, hoping he'd let go, but instead he clenched down even harder.

His jaw was clenched. His eyes, usually so calm, were flaring up with rare frustration.